This "gift" project was a final I completed while in the Design Foundations Program. We had 2 weeks to come up with a concept, prototype and packaging for a "gift" for our industrial design mentors. The video below is a "How To" animation I made in my design media class after getting into the program. One can watch the video below to understand how to use the gift.
Project Statement
In this project, I empathized with my industrial design mentor, Leila Akberdin, to come up with a gift based on her outlook on design. In focusing on the quote that “design is intentional, caring and sustainable,” (Leila Akberdin) I needed to create a gift that utilizes both analog and digital tools/materials. I used recyclable materials that are sustainable, and/or waste-free and conscious of our Earth’s resources. I also empathized with my mentor, as a way to apply the caring aspect of design, so that I could understand what she was looking for in a gift and how I could make it more personable. I decided that the gift would focus in on her love for nature and her desire for self-care; I noticed that it would benefit her to have something that re-affirms her self-confidence and love for herself because life can be pretty stressful, and it is important to not be so hard on oneself. I made sure to do a lot of research on possible gift ideas/designs, so that the present would function with my intentions (intentionality).
In creating the Plant of Affirmations gift, where plant-seed paper and recyclable materials were key, I used the laser cutter to cut out powerful messages of affirmation that my mentor could plant about herself and nurture with water each day. As her messages grow, so will the wildflower seeds, bringing her closer to nature indoors! For the packaging, I utilized a mix of procreate and iMovie to create a video (posted to YouTube) that would surprise and explain each caring, intentional, and sustainable aspect of the gift itself. In the video, I utilized elements of shape and color as well as principles of movement to mimic growth and keep my mentor engaged/excited.
Pot #1 + Message of Affirmation & Soil
Laser Cut Messages of Affirmation on Plant Seed Paper
My Mentor Receiving her Gift